The new Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has spoken on the circumstances that preceded his emergence as the monarch of the ancient town.
According to him, he never knew the crown would be his, just as renowned Ifa priest, Professor Wande Abimbola, has said that the deity does not focus on the country the chosen candidate is during divination.
While Oba Owoade spoke during a thanksgiving service held at the Anglican Cathedral Church, Esiele, Oyo town, on Sunday, Abimbola, a former Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, who is an Oyo indigene, spoke in an interview with BBC.
Noting that he never met Governor Seyi Makinde before his emergence, Oba Owoade said his emergence was divinely ordained and not the result of political connections or influence.
Owoade said, “I never knew nor met both the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, before and during the process to the throne.
“I never knew I would be the next Alaafin of Oyo, as I was neither desperate nor cutting corners in order to become the Alaafin at all costs. It was the will of God,” he insisted
This was contained in a statement by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, in Ibadan, the state capital, on Monday.
On his part, Abimbola said Ifa’s primary concern is to reveal whom the next oba is without considering whether the person is in Nigeria or abroad.
